New Sermon Series : Galatians

Starting this Sunday, we will be starting a new Sermon Series on the Epistle to the Galatians.

Since coming to Christ Presbyterian we have studied:

Daniel
Luke
Amos
Micah
First Corinthians
Jonah
Nahum
Proverbs
Psalms
John
Genesis

And now we are moving on to Galatians. I think it will be an important sermon series. Join us this Sunday as we do an Overview of Galatians to introduce the sermon series.

The on going battle in Vancouver

When I was in graduate school from 2001-2004, the conflict with the Anglican Church was taking place in Greater Vancouver. Here we are, 2010, and nothing has really changed. Very sad state of affairs.

Anglican Bishop takes Action Against Conservative Churches.

Guest Preacher: Rev. Karl Dahlfred

This Sunday we have a special guest with us. Rev. Karl Dahlfred who will be preaching at CPC. Karl will be preaching on Zechariah 1:1-17 and the title of the sermon is "Faithful God, Unfaithful People".

To learn more about Karl & Sun Dahlfred, visit their website. Should be a wonderful Sunday.

The Pulse: Prayer

This Sunday is a rare topical sermon. We will look at prayer and how it is "the pulse" of a church. Come join us this Sunday! Sermon Text => Acts 2:41-47

Sermon Text: Genesis 50:15-21

Our very last sermon in Genesis. I always hate ending a series as I have really gotten into the book and found it a joy and privilege to preach. But upward and onward, in a few weeks we start a new series in the New Testament! Come and join us as we wrap up Genesis and celebrate Reformation Sunday.

Lausanne Conference 2010 Cape Town

So if you have not been paying attention, a major major event in the world is taking place in South Africa.

The Lausanne Conference is that largest gathering of Christian World Leaders who are concerned about missions and the gospel.

I have read some great papers submitted at the conference. One that has gotten me thinking is written by a theologian in Germany dealing with secularism, very insightful.

The biggest disappointment is that the Chinese Delegation was barred from leaving China.

Reading the email updates as well as the facebook posts have been very very encouraging.

Sermon Text: Genesis 49:28-33, 50:22-26

As we close Genesis, we get into some themes that are future thinking. Very interesting stuff. We will be looking at the requests of Jacob and Joseph to be returned to the Promised Land. Join us this coming Sunday.

Sermon Text: Genesis 48

Gen. 48:8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”
Gen. 48:9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”
Gen. 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
Gen. 48:11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”
Gen. 48:12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
Gen. 48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.
Gen. 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn).
Gen. 48:15 And he blessed Joseph and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
Gen. 48:16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
and let them grow into a multitude* in the midst of the earth.”
Gen. 48:17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Gen. 48:18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”
Gen. 48:19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
Gen. 48:20 So he blessed them that day, saying,
“By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,
t‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ ”
Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

My favorite Comic Strip of All Time

Can't believe it has been 60 years. Remember reading them as a kid over and over again. Even bought some for my kids, although not as into it as I was when I was their age.

Peanuts Turns 60

Sermon Text: Genesis 46-47

Now that the brothers have reconciled, it is time for the family to move to Egypt. Join us this Sunday as we wrap up Genesis over the next few Sundays.

The Commercial Church

A church member heard this program today on NHPR and passed it along to me.

Very relevant topic and a frustration of mine being a minister in 21st Century America.
Take a listen when you get a chance.

The Commercial Church on NHPR

The Forum (9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning)

This Sunday we are going to try something a little different. I am calling it "The Forum"

The purpose is to engage participants on topics that are relevant to culture. I am hoping it will be time discussing various resources and listening to one another about the world we live in.

To get us going, we will be looking at a book I read over the summer, that I found useful.

Everts, Don & Schaupp, Doug. I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus, IVP Press: Downers Grove, 2008.

If you interested, come check us out on Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am.

Sermon Text: Genesis 45

Next Sunday we complete our series on Reconciliation with Genesis 45. It will also cover the important conversation between Judah and Joseph in Ge 44 that leads to the emotional breakdown for Joseph.

Please plan and join us this coming Lord's Day.

Sermon Text: Genesis 42-44

We are continuing with the Reconciliation of Joseph and His Brothers. We will focus on Genesis 43 in particular. Join us this Sunday as we talk about Reconciliation.

JI Packer & the Trinity Hymnal

Interesting article on CT Online.

I know I have noticed several differences to familiar hymns in the Red Trinity Hymnal and knew there must be a reason why. This article confirms it.

Glad to know some thoughtful people put this together for our benefit.

And as a bonus, a good illustration from Packer.

Next Scheduled Historical Tour

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Sermon Text: Genesis 41

We are getting back to Joseph at the "hinge" of this amazing story. An important chapter and moment in Joseph's Life. Come join us this Sunday.

Sermon: Joseph: Prisoner to Pharaoh's Officer

Text: Genesis 41

Lausanna Movement Cape Town 2010

I am still learning about this gathering, so forgive me if I sound vague and ill informed.

But from what I have gathered, it is a very very significant gathering of Christian Leaders from all over the world that are hoping to help direct the church in the coming years towards to Gospel.

Well known ministers like Tim Keller and John Piper will be in attendance.

Since I won't be going to Cape Town, I am hoping to follow it via the world wide web.

For more information, go to their Website, Lausanne Movement

Why is church coffee so often bad?

Great Article on the ChristianToday.com website.

Why is church coffee so often bad? web article

Having been apart of various churches over the last 20 years I have seen this time and time again, and often find it frustrating. I have also seen the effects of a church doing an outstanding job on a ministry outreach or preparing to worship God and have been blessed to be apart of it. Why do we not put our best foot forward always? I think the article makes several good points, and I think gets to the heart of the issue. From the article...

"Ultimately, the weaknesses in our churches and organisations have a common root: the fact that we do not value our faith as we should. What we believe, and in particular what we believe about our local church, has ceased to become the central point around which our lives are built. It has gone from being a foundation of our lives to some sort of accessory and we need to adopt a very different mindset.

That we have poor coffee in our church is the most trivial of matters, yet I believe it is often a symptom of something very serious. It is too easy for us to be substandard in what we do for God. Friends, let us resolve to pursue excellence for the glory of God."

Quote from Phil Harris

I have been a fan of the Discovery Channel Show, Deadliest Catch. Not family friendly, but for a variety of reasons, I enjoy it when it is on.

It has been a hit on Discovery for some time, and one of it's leading character's, Capt. Phil Harris passed away this crab season. Very sad, and the rest of the Captains gathered to honor him. One of them shared this quote which I thought was priceless.

On Capt. Phil Harris's voicemail:

"You have reached Phil Harris' cell phone, please leave a message, if it is important I will get back to you, if I don't get back with you, you will know why."

Pretty funny.